Inline bioremediation liquid treatment system

ABSTRACT

A liquid treatment system is provided having a vault that contains a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber. The treatment chamber may have a filtration media layer containing media that treats liquid as it descends through the filtration media layer, where it will accumulate in a porous layer or open space. The liquid will then be directed through the plurality of pipes to the outflow chamber, where the treated liquid is further directed to outside the system. Accumulated debris settled at the bottom of the treatment chamber may be flushed out by a spray bar.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/380,449 filed on Apr. 10, 2019, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,794,051, which is a divisional of U.S. non-provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/708,399 filed on Sep. 19, 2017, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,260,222, which claims priority to U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/478,386 filed on Mar. 29, 2017, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to water detention and treatment systemsand in particular to a system and method for filtration of pollutantsfrom stormwater runoff.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stormwater treatment systems typically remove solids from stormwaterflow. These solids represent a major portion of the pollutant loadcontained in stormwater runoff. Current federal, state, and localstormwater treatment guidelines require that all stormwater runoffreceive treatment to prevent the conveyance of pollution to downstreamreceiving water bodies.

An underlying problem with current stormwater treatment is thatachieving greater pollutant removal efficiency may result in a reductionof the hydraulic conveyance, which may compromise the hydrology of thewater shed. Historically, stormwater management has been primarily aboutflood prevention. Because of governmental mandates and environmentalnecessity, current stormwater management includes the prevention of theconveyance of pollutants. There is a necessity to prevent both floodingand the transmission of pollutants.

Because there is not a single stormwater treatment technique that isbest for removing all pollutants, a treatment system that utilizesmultiple techniques of filtration and retention, will yield a moresuccessful and efficient stormwater treatment system. Additionally, allstormwater treatment systems require servicing, and a treatment systemthat employs multiple techniques will likely mitigate the substantialcosts and labor associated with servicing current stormwater treatmentsystems.

Servicing a stormwater treatment system requires manual labor,equipment, and financial resources. Being able to service efficientlywill yield the capture of more debris. Additionally, being able toservice quickly with minimal manual labor will reduce the costs ofservicing.

Accordingly, the current invention aims to provide a liquid treatmentsystem that provides greater retention and filtration of stormwater,while increasing the efficiency and minimizing the resources utilized toconduct servicing of the treatment system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is provided to introduce a selection of conceptsin a simplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

According to one implementation, the liquid treatment system has a vaultthat contains a treatment chamber and an outflow chamber. The treatmentchamber may have a filtration media layer containing media that treatsliquid as it descends through the filtration media layer. As liquidpasses through the filtration media layer, it will eventually accumulatein a porous layer or open space, where it will subsequently be drawnthrough perforated portions of a plurality of pipes. The liquid willthen be directed through the plurality of pipes to an outlet, where thetreated liquid is further directed to outside the system.

Accumulated debris may settle at the bottom of the treatment chamber. Aspray bar with a plurality of orifices is mounted in the bottom portionof the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber may include a floorhaving a sloped surface, wherein the spray bar may work in conjunctionwith the sloped surface to flush debris settled in the treatment chamberto a predetermined location for pickup by a vacuum hose.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a liquid treatment system, it is nevertheless not intended to belimited to only the details shown, since various modifications andstructural changes may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of theclaims.

These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a readingof the following detailed description, and a review of the appendeddrawings. It is to be understood that the foregoing summary, thefollowing detailed descriptions, and the appended drawings are onlyexplanatory and are not restrictive of various aspects claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1I are views from different angles of the liquid treatmentsystem in accordance with an implementation of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2I are views from different angles of the liquid treatmentsystem having a service portal, a permeable screen structure, and anopen space in accordance with an implementation of the invention.

FIG. 3A-3H are views from different angles of the liquid treatmentsystem showing additional features in accordance with an implementationof the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4I are views from different angles of the liquid treatmentsystem having a service portal, a permeable screen structure, an openspace, and a high-pressure water spray system in accordance with animplementation of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the outflow chamber enlarged with theslab removed.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing water flow direction down throughmedia, and up into perforated pipes in accordance with an implementationof the invention.

FIGS. 7A & 7B are side sectional views that illustrate the alignment ofa spray bar on a portion of the treatment chamber floor having a slopedsurface in accordance with an implementation of the invention.

FIGS. 8A-8F are sectional views illustrating the steps in the collapsingof a compacted debris bridge that has formed in the open space inaccordance with an implementation of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of the invention provide a liquid treatment system thatprevents a wide spectrum of pollutants from being conveyed to areceiving body of water or landscape area.

As used herein, the term “distal” end generally refers to the end thatis further from the outflow chamber.

Additionally, the term “proximal” end generally refers to the end thatis closer to the outflow chamber.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1I, an example implementation of a liquidtreatment system is shown having a vault 100 which may be fabricatedfrom, but not limited to, concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. The shape ofthe vault is not limited to any particular shape, and may berectangular, square, round, octagon or oval, among other shapes. Thevault 100 may house a treatment chamber 111 and an outflow chamber 112.The treatment chamber 111 may be comprised of one or more walls and afloor. The treatment chamber 111 may contain a filtration media layer115 adjacent to the top of the treatment chamber 111. The filtrationmedia layer 115 may contain filtration media 117 which may consist of atleast two sizes and/or types of media 117. This media 117 may begranular in shape and is not limited to any size or type. The filtrationmedia layer 115 may also be suitable for sustaining living plants. Thefiltration media layer 115 acts as a liquid inlet positioned to directliquid into the treatment chamber 111 from outside the treatment system.Liquid may be received by the filtration media layer 115 and eventuallytravel downward through the media 117 located within the treatmentchamber 111.

The media 117 of the filtration media layer 115 is located directlyabove a plurality of pipes 119. The plurality of pipes 119 may beslightly inclined but substantially horizontal. At least a portion ofeach plurality of pipes 119 may be perforated. The plurality of pipes119 are positioned to direct liquid from the treatment chamber 111 intothe outflow chamber 112 through an outlet 120 at the distal ends of theplurality of pipes 119. The plurality of pipes 119 may include an inlet110 at their proximal ends to allow for servicing and cleaning of theplurality of pipes 119. A liquid source may be coupled to the inlet 110and provide liquid to the plurality of pipes 119 to ultimately flush outany sediment that may be caught in the plurality of pipes 119.

The plurality of pipes 119 may have a plurality of maximum flow rates.For example, one of the plurality of pipes 119 may have a low flow thatserves to convey minimal flow with a drain down capability (as shown inFIG. 1D). A low flow pipe can serve to maximize contact time between thefiltration media 117 and the liquid flow. Alternatively, one of theplurality of pipes 119 may have a high flow that serves to increase theliquid flow through the filtration media 117 before the liquid flowbegins to bypass the filtration media 117. A high flow pipe may conveyliquid flow at a faster rate than a low flow pipe. A high flow pipe mayhave an intermediate portion, downstream of the perforated portion,which is elevated with respect to the remaining portions of the pipe (asshown in FIG. 1A). An air vent 104 may be attached to the top of theelevated portion to connect the pipe to the ambient air outside of thetreatment system. The air vent 104 allows ambient air to enter the pipeso that liquids can flow smoothly through the pipe. The air vent 104 isadapted to prevent liquids from entering the pipe through the air vent104.

The plurality of pipes 119 are supported by a porous layer 130 that isadjacent to the bottom of the treatment chamber 111. The porous layer130 may consist of gravel or any other additional media suitable tofunction as a settling area for solids such as sediments that passthrough the media 117 of the filtration media layer 115. The porouslayer 130 may retain a permanent pool of liquid. In anotherimplementation, the area occupied by the porous layer 130 may be an openspace (explained in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 2A-2I).

A plurality of shields 105 are disposed between the perforated portionsof the plurality of pipes 119 and the media 117 of the filtration medialayer 115. The plurality of shields 105 are adapted to prevent liquidsand sediments from entering the perforated portions of the plurality ofpipes 119 directly from the media 117 of the filtration media layer 115.As a result, the flow of liquid must pass through the porous layer 130before entering the perforated portions of the plurality of pipes 119(explained in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 6, with respect to the flow direction of liquid, oncethe liquid enters the treatment chamber 111, the liquid is drawndownward through the filtration media layer 115. After passing the media117 of the filtration media layer 115, the liquid is then drawn aroundthe plurality of shields 105, past the plurality of pipes 119, where theliquid is ultimately accumulated in the porous layer 130. When the levelof accumulated liquid in the treatment chamber 111 is at or above theplurality of pipes 119, the liquid is drawn through the perforated pipeportions into one or more of the plurality of pipes 119, and directedinto the outflow chamber 112 through the outlet 120 of the plurality ofpipes 119. Ultimately, the liquid is ejected from the outflow chamber112 through an outlet 135 of the outflow chamber 112 (explained ingreater detail below with respect to FIG. 5).

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-1I, and in accordance with the exampleimplementation shown in FIG. 5, the outflow chamber 112 is housed withinthe vault 100 adjacent to the treatment chamber 111. The outflow chamber112 contains a tray 150, a filter 140, and an outlet 135. A bypasschannel 102 positioned above the filtration media layer 115, is adaptedto direct overflow liquid from the treatment chamber 115 into theoutflow chamber 112. The bypass channel 102 may vary in size so long asthere is no possibility for the bypass channel 102 to become blinded byfloating solids.

The tray 150 is positioned in line with the bypass channel 102, andcontains the filter 140. The filter 140 sits in the tray in line withthe bypass channel and is adapted to filter solids from any overflowliquid that enters through the bypass channel 102. The filter 140 may bepermeable to allow liquids to flow into the outflow chamber 112 in theevent that the filter 140 is completely blinded by solids. The filter120 is removable and serviceable through an opening 101 at the top ofthe outflow chamber 112.

A slab 155 may be positioned substantially over the outflow chamber 112.The slab may have a passage that coincides with the opening 101 of theoutflow chamber 112 to allow for servicing and removal of the filter140.

The outlet 135 of the outflow chamber 112 is adapted to direct treatedliquid from the outflow chamber 112 to outside the treatment system.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2I, in a further implementation the liquidtreatment system may include a service portal 260, a permeable screenstructure 230, and an open space 231. The service portal 260 may bepositioned within the filtration media layer 215 of the treatmentchamber 211 between the plurality of pipes 219. The service portal 260allows access to the open space 231 from above the filtration medialayer 215.

The plurality of pipes 219 may be supported by a permeable screenstructure 230 that is adjacent to the bottom of the treatment chamber211. The open space 231 is positioned between the permeable screenstructure 230 and the bottom of the treatment chamber 211. The openspace 231 may function as a settling area for solids such as sedimentsthat pass through the media 217 of the filtration media layer 215. Theopen space 231 may retain a permanent pool of liquid.

In another implementation, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4I, a high-pressurewater spray system may be positioned within the open space 431. Thehigh-pressure water spray system is adapted to convey water from asource outside the liquid treatment system into the open space 431. Thehigh-pressure water spray system may be comprised of at least one spraybar 490 disposed, at least partially, within the open space 431. Thespray bar 490 will be a liquid conveyance 480 and can be made of eitherpipe or hose having an open end 465 and a closed end. The conveyance 480of the spray bar 490 may have a plurality of orifices along its sides.The open end 465 may be adapted to connect to a high-pressure watersource. A water source may be coupled to the open end 465 of thehigh-pressure water spray system within the service portal to providewater to the high-pressure water spray system. As water is pumpedthrough the high-pressure water spray system, the water travels along atleast one conveyance 480 and is eventually expelled through theplurality of orifices to separate debris that has settled in the openspace 431 of the treatment chamber 411.

In a further implementation, the treatment chamber 411 may be comprisedof one or more walls and a floor, wherein at a least a portion of thefloor has a sloped surface 470. The sloped surface 470 may descend fromat least one of the walls down to a location on the floor. The slopedsurface 470 allows the high-pressure water spray system to flushaccumulated debris to a location on the floor that is easily accessibleby a servicing vacuum descended through the service portal 460.

FIGS. 7A & 7B illustrates the alignment of a spray bar 490 on a portionof the treatment chamber 411 floor having a sloped surface 570. In FIG.7A, the spray bar 490 is angled perpendicular to the wall of thetreatment chamber 411, and positioned at the peak of the sloped surface570 adjacent to the wall of the treatment chamber 411. Duringinstallation of the liquid treatment system, the angle of the spray bar490 is adjustable by rotating the spray bar 490 about an aiming lever550. To increase performance, the spray bar 490 may be angled (525) sothat it is substantially parallel to the sloped surface 570, as shown inFIG. 7B. In this position, liquid expelled from the orifice of the spraybar 490 is able to engage the debris along the sloped surface 570, andthus force the debris to a location on the floor that is easilyaccessible by a servicing vacuum descended through the service portal460. The use of spray bars 490 in conjunction with the sloped surface570 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 8A-8F.

In FIGS. 8A-8F, the progression of debris breakdown within the treatmentchamber is shown. Debris can become highly compacted as it accumulatesin the open space 431. In addition, sediment, leaves, and twigs canbecome integrated throughout the accumulated debris. The presence ofleaves and twigs enhances the general structure of the accumulateddebris.

Beginning with FIG. 8A, the debris has completely settled and becomecompacted within the open space 431 of the treatment chamber 411. InFIG. 8B, liquid expelled from the spray bars 490 angled parallel (520)to the sloped surfaces 570, have begun to undermine the debris withoutthe majority of the debris collapsing to the floor. A bridge of debrishas now formed within the open space 431 of the treatment chamber 411.In FIGS. 8C & 8D, vertical extending spray bars 540 located adjacent tothe walls of the treatment chamber 411, have broken down the debris tothe point where the debris collapses to the floor of the treatmentchamber 411 (as shown in FIG. 8E). The vertical extending spray bars 540and floor spray bars 490 will continue to liquefy and breakdown thedebris, and force the debris to a location on the floor that is easilyaccessible by a servicing vacuum descended through the service portal.From here, the debris may be vacuumed out, as shown in FIG. 8F.

Any reference in this specification to “one implementation,” “animplementation,” an “example implementation,” etc., means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the implementation is included in at least one implementation ofthe invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in thespecification are not necessarily referring to the same implementation.In addition, any elements or limitations of any invention orimplementation thereof disclosed herein can be combined with any and/orall other elements or limitations (individually or in any combination)or any invention or implementation thereof disclosed herein, and allsuch combinations are contemplated with the scope of the inventionwithout limitation thereto.

It should be understood that the examples and implementations describedherein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modificationsor changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in theart and are to be included within the spirit and purview of thisapplication.

1. A liquid treatment system comprising: a vault having a treatmentchamber and an outflow chamber; a liquid inlet positioned to directliquid into said treatment chamber from outside the treatment system; aporous layer adjacent to the bottom of the treatment chamber; one ormore substantially horizontal pipes supported by said porous layer, atleast a portion of each of said plurality of pipes being perforated; afiltration media layer located directly above said plurality of pipes; aplurality of shields disposed between the perforated portions of saidplurality of pipes and said filtration media layer; and an outletadapted to direct treated liquid from said outflow chamber to outsidethe system.